In a couple of months, Marvel Studios will add to its massive production schedule with the start of shooting for 2022's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, whose title was announced recently. While fans are looking forward to this sequel coming after the MCU's first Oscar-winner in Black Panther, this will come as one of the most emotional productions in franchise history.
The cast and crew of Wakanda Forever are preparing to film after the tragic loss of leading actor Chadwick Boseman in August 2020. Thankfully, nearly every major star from the original film is coming back to reprise their role, and some of them have spoken at length on the dedication and drive to make sure Chadwick's memory lives on in this next blockbuster.
That includes Ramonda star Angela Bassett, who shared her excitement to return to the wide world of Marvel.
ANGELA BASSETT EXCITED FOR MARVEL SEQUEL
MCU actress Angela Bassett spoke with Good Morning America about her upcoming work on Marvel Studios' Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Although she admitted "there'll be some changes," she expressed that she's "very excited," and that she knows the late Chadwick Boseman "will be with [them] from day one through infinity:"
"I'm excited, as you can imagine, very excited. Of course, there'll be some changes we know -- we know we won't have our heart and soul right there at the center in Chadwick, but in spirit I know that he will be with us from day one through infinity."
While Bassett hasn't seen a script yet, she assured fans that they "don't have to worry about a thing" with director Ryan Coogler at the helm. Describing him as "fearless, wonderful, (and) visionary," she has "no doubt" that it will be something special:
"Black Panther fans don't have to worry about a thing because we have our fearless, wonderful, visionary leader Ryan Coogler there, you know, on script and there directing. I have no doubt that it will be glorious, that it will be wonderful."
Bassett continued her praise for Coogler, calling him a "kind of gentle soul" who "encourages you in his own particular way." Working with him again, Bassett told fans that she has "absolute faith in him:"
"He's a visionary, an auteur, he's a kind of gentle soul and he encourages you in his own particular way, his own sweet way, gentle, insistent way to give your best, so I have absolute faith in him."
FAITH WILL SEE BLACK PANTHER THROUGH
Even through the tragic events surrounding this movie, Bassett and her castmates are ready to put forth their best efforts to make a movie that lives up to their first adventure.
Director Ryan Coogler made the world of Wakanda with the most intricate of details in Phase 3, and his work will continue to build this franchise to new heights.
There are still no story details known for the summer 2022 blockbuster, although Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has described the core of the story as building on the fictional African nation and its culture.
With characters like Ramonda and Lupita Nyong'o's Nakia coming back for their next MCU films, T'Challa's friends and family will play key roles in showing the intricate details surrounding their world.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will begin filming in July before its release on July 8, 2022.
